Stucco pulling away from house

[Robert Dewitt]

Can anyone tell me what is going on here? Stucco seems to be pulling away from trim around windows and eave of structure.

[Garry Sorrells]

Robert,
From the picture it only appears to be separating as a probable result of the wood trim expanding and contracting. Can not see it pulling away from structure from picture.

If trim is not sealed moisture intrusion will cause a greater movement than sealed trim. Even if the trim is sealed it will still have some movement, though less.

[Raymond Wand]

There is no drip cap either.

[Scott Patterson]

Can anyone tell me what is going on here? Stucco seems to be pulling away from trim around windows and eave of structure.

So many issues.... The trim should not be buried into the stucco like it is. The lack of sealants at the dissimilar materials does not allow for expansion and contraction like Garry noted. No header flashing as noted by Ray. Wood is just a poor choice of building products for this type of application.

[wayne soper]

You are 100% sure that's Stucco right?
just checking
And ditto on all the other stuff
How old was the house?
Trim looks fairly new
True stucco is not used much anymore
Cementious
EIFS
is more common these days

[John Arnold]

Everyone inspecting stucco should read this:

BSI-029: Stucco Woes—The Perfect Storm — Building Science Information (http://www.buildingscience.com/documents/insights/bsi-029-stucco-woes-the-perfect-storm)

[Robert Dewitt]

No, I'm not sure it's "stucco." This is fairly new--part of a pathetic remodel job only 4+ years ago. Sounds like probably fix is rip off the wood trim and roof barge--look for water damage behind them. If ok, then fix "stucco" (or whatever) and reapply wood trim pieces with proper flashing, sealant, etc.?

This was my first post; you guys are awesome.

[wayne soper]

Go back to the house. take an awl or something sharp, screwdriver wil work. and a hammer
Go to a low area near the ground where the damage won't show.
behind the garage or wherever yo9u won't get shot at.:D
Try to tap the point through the surface. EIFS has a thin layer of concrete and then foam
Exterior Insulated Finishing System
The driver will go right through if it is EIFS
If it feels like concrete skim coat and sounds solid, it may be concrete skim coat applied to cement board hopefully, but could have been applied to anything that was dragged over the border at night, who knows.
Real stucco will sound a little more hollow but the driver will not go through.
If it's EIFS defer to licensed EIFS contractor for further evaluation.
Exterior insulation finishing system - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exterior_Insulation_Finishing_System)
and start studying here.
If you can see the outline of the concrete boards as in cracking at the butt joints it is also screwed up.
NAy mor epics

[Nick Ostrowski]

That looks like more like some type of textured spray on finish as opposed to actual stucco.

[Steven Turetsky]

Improper joints/lack of expansion (isolation) joints